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Your Observer

Most everyone who has worked with Dora Walters at the Observer reveres her.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 9, 2019
Observer staff remembers Dora Walters

There is no shortage of stories about the former Longboat reporter.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dora Walters on duty in the Longboat Observer newsroom.
  • By Nathalie Kaemmerer and Sten Spinella
  • August 9, 2019
Dora the Explorer: A Longboat legend (1927-2019)

The spunky, beloved longtime Longboat Observer reporter has died at age 92.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The sixth Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota, depicted in the rendering above, will be located at 14 School Ave., Arcadia.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 9, 2019
Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County to expand to Arcadia

The new location will take over the Smith-Brown Reception Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Police Department is waiting for officials to fix the gas leak.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 9, 2019
UPDATE: Orange Avenue reopens following gas leak

A segment of the road between 19th Street and 25th Street was closed as authorities responded to a gas leak.

  • Sarasota
  • News
From left, Mona Jain, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee mascot Rocky the Bull, and School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders pose for a photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 8, 2019
Opening of Mona Jain Middle School in Lakewood Ranch stirs emotions

Community honors Mona Jain during ribbon cutting for the new middle school in Lakewood Ranch named after her.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 8, 2019
Proposed budget ready for commissioners in September.

$17,189,514 spending plan delivered on Aug. 1; public hearings begin when commissioners return from summer break.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • August 8, 2019
Alfred Floyd Bracciano

Alfred Floyd Bracciano, known as “Poppy” to the people closest to him, was born July 29, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 8, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: August 8

Dennis Pacheco caught a yellow-crowned night heron feeding her chicks at Bay Tree Club on south Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 8, 2019
East County weather page photo: August 8

Mark Williamson captured this bald eagle landing in Conservatory Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 8, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 8

Michael Cohen spotted this tricolor heron near South Lido Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A photo of former Longboat firefighters in front of a long-gone truck.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 8, 2019
Longboat Key Fire Department looks to strengthen tradition

Fire Chief Paul Dezzi is trying to assemble historical displays of the department's past.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • August 8, 2019
The power and limits of home rule

In recent years the Florida Legislature has gone after home rule polices restricting guns, vacation rentals, plastic bags and tree ordinances, just to name a few. When is overriding home rule merited?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Adam Bowman, Marco Vannucci and Quayshaun "Q" Oliver make up the band AWAKENNATION. Photo Courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 8, 2019
Local band premieres first song 'Sarasota'

The band AWAKENNATION featured lyrics about Sarasota Bay and the Ringling family in the city-themed song.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
VPA director Rebecca Abrahamson and VPA Theatre Chairman Scott Keys stand about where the lobby will be expanded to.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 8, 2019
Booker VPA to see $4 million renovation

School officials hope investment into the theater facility will shine a brighter light on student artists.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Senior safety Matt Garcia is a steadying presence in the secondary.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 8, 2019
Riverview High football season preview

The Riverview High Rams and football coach Josh Smithers have high expectations after a historic playoff run.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Brian Battie, who played for the Sailors as a sophomore, is back for his senior season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 8, 2019
Sarasota High football season preview

The Sarasota High Sailors football team believes it is close to righting the ship under Spencer Hodges.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
R. Dan Nolan Middle School Principal Scot Boice said the changes should improve traffic flow at arrival and dismissal times.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 8, 2019
Lane changes aid arrival, dismissal at McNeal Elementary and Nolan Middle in Lakewood Ranch

McNeal Elementary, Nolan Middle have new car rider paths for parents to navigate.

  • East County
  • News
Brian Battie.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 8, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Brian Battie

Returning Sarasota High running back Brian Battie talks USF and his burger preferences.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The size of a proposed 500-space, five-story parking garage with a rooftop restaurant has been central to the controversy over Selby Gardens' master plan.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 8, 2019
State scrutinizes Selby Gardens plans

FDOT officials questioned the scope and impact of a redevelopment project, but gardens officials stand behind the proposal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ken Shelin thinks it's possible to reach a simple, agreeable solution for changing building regulation on South Palm Avenue, but residents are initially sharing opposing perspectives on the best path forward.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 8, 2019
Palm Avenue residents, owners at odds over zoning

Can neighbors with opposing perspectives find room for compromise on building rules?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this weeks edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 8, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 8.8.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Lieutenant Brandon Desch shows off the Longboat Fire Department's night vision monocular. Photos by Sten Spinella.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 7, 2019
New equipment improves vision for Longboat Key Fire Department

Even in the night, firefighters can see as clear as day.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gianfranco Santagati pictured in the dining room of La Norma. Photos by Sten Spinella.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 7, 2019
La Norma brings Sicilian spirit to Longboat Key

The Italian restaurant has settled into its tenure on the island after opening several months ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rising junior Shawqi Itraish, here throwing a pass against Lakewood Ranch, will be Braden River's starting quarterback this season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 7, 2019
Braden River High's newest quarterback has paid his dues

Shawqi Itraish has the support of past Pirates quarterbacks, too.

  • East County
  • Sports
Taylor Lawson, April Costello and Chris Lawson say Colton Lawson, front, is a typical active boy, who loves to run and play, adores superheroes and is obsessed with trucks and tractors.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 7, 2019
Myakka boy still ready to race after traumatic limb loss

Myakka boy still ready to race after traumatic limb loss.

  • East County
  • News
Myakka City Fire Department Chief Danny Cacchiotti and East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Lee Whitehurst say the "numbers work" for making the merger a good idea.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 7, 2019
Possible merger heads toward referendum

East Manatee, Myakka City fire districts head toward merger.

  • East County
  • News
Electricians Tony Gentile and Rick Bradford talk with veterinarian Wendy Ellis about their work inside the future Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch, on State Road 70, slightly west of Post Boulevard.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 7, 2019
What's (going) up in Lakewood Ranch?

Lakewood Ranch area housing boom draws business.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • August 7, 2019
Ardith Laurel (Eilola) Tromley

Ardith Laurel (Eilola) Tromley, 87, formerly of Colts Neck NJ, and currently of Sarasota, Florida, passed away on July 27, 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
James Palmer has earned the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 7, 2019
Who's the man in Lakewood Ranch?

Lakewood Ranch's James Palmer earns a special award from Marquis Who's Who for his lifetime of work in labor relations.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 7, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: A rescue at sea

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Myakka City residents Lisa Lent and Scott Myre look at a map of Parrish Community High School while they tour the campus Tuesday evening. Their daughter, Madie, 14, will be a freshman at the school this year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 6, 2019
Community celebrates opening of Parrish Community High School

Community celebrates opening of Parrish Community High School

  • East County
  • News
Panther Ridge resident Jim Schneck, with his wife Martine Vande Weghe, finds his home on the map in relation to the construction project.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 6, 2019
FDOT shares plans for S.R. 70 improvements

Roundabouts on horizon for Lakewood Ranch area in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
At the meeting, Superintendent Todd Bowden also said more than half the teachers at Oak Park School received updated crisis intervention training.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 6, 2019
School board approves policies ahead of new year

The policy changes focus on student safety and community partnerships.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Director of Transportation Jason Harris said the call line will help facilitate the hundreds of calls the transportation office receives daily.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 6, 2019
Sarasota schools add transportation help line

The line can be accessed from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m . Monday through Friday by calling 941-486-2141.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Pickleball is one sure bet as Manatee County builds a new park adjacent to Premier.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 6, 2019
Have you voiced your hopes for Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch?

Pickleball definitely is coming, but your opinion could form the way the area around Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch is built out.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Longboat Key Turtle Watch member Mike Herron excavates a nest on Saturday, Aug. 3.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 6, 2019
Rising sea turtle nesting numbers break Sarasota area records

Oh baby — nests abound in an active year for the turtles

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
2
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
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Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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